Patients should not expect to lose a dramatic amount of weight with liposuction. However, because fat is removed from cosmetically important areas, liposuction should produce significant improvements in aesthetic appearance. Although liposuction should not be regarded as a method for weight loss, in appropriate patients it can produce significant cosmetic improvements.

Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. The fat cells that are removed by liposuction can never come back; however, if the patient gains a significant amount of weight, then new fat cell can develop. With a small weight gain, existing fat cells simply get bigger by accumulating more fat within the existing cell. However, with an increase of more than 10% of body weight, one can expect new fat cell development in all areas of the body, including areas previously treated by liposuction. As an adult gains larger amounts of weight, increasing numbers of fat cells (lipocytes) are formed from existing pleuripotential connective tissue cells by a process of differentiation. Existing connective tissue cells first change into immature fat cells (lipoblasts), and then develop into mature fat cells with progressive obesity.

The more weight a patient gains after liposuction, the less dramatic the results of liposuction will be. Ideally a patient should weigh less after liposuction by an amount equal to the weight of the removed fat.

Fat usually does not come back in treated areas provided the patient does not gain a significant amount of weight after the surgery. If the patient gains a significant amount of weight, then fat can return to an area previously treated by liposuction. With increasing weight the degree of fat accumulation in a previously treated area is proportionately less than in untreated areas. After liposuction, relatively less fat accumulates in treated areas compared to untreated areas.

Fat usually does not come back in treated areas provided the patient does not gain a significant amount of weight after the surgery. If the patient gains a significant amount of weight, then fat can return to an area previously treated by liposuction. With increasing weight the degree of fat accumulation in a previously treated area is proportionately less than in untreated areas. After liposuction, relatively less fat accumulates in treated areas compared to untreated areas.

If a patient gains a significant amount of weight, say more than 10 pounds (5 kg), after liposuction, then the fat must go somewhere on the body. In fact, the fat accumulates in all areas of the body in proportion to the amount of fat cells in each area. Areas where fat cells have been removed by liposuction will accumulate relatively little fat, while in areas not treated by liposuction relatively more fat will be deposited. For example, if a woman gains weight after liposuction of her hips, outer thighs, and abdomen, then proportionally more of the fat will be deposited elsewhere such as the woman’s breasts, face, back and legs.

If a patient does not gain weight after liposuction, then fat does not come back in the treated areas. However liposuction does not stop the aging process. It is natural for the size and location of the body’s fat deposits to change gradually with increasing age. Despite expected changes with aging, the results of a successful liposuction should always be apparent.